Progress Update: AV400's New Boeing 787 Mould Sample in 1:400 Scale
Modified: March 2021
Thanks to Aviation400 for providing me with these exclusive photos.
As I exclusively reported in December Aviation400 are looking at increasing their mould catalogue of modern widebodies, which currently includes the A330, A340, A350 and 777-300ER with all three variants of the Dreamliner.
Back then I was able to showcase some shots of the resin sample but now AV400 have provided me with some new photos of the first sample cast in metal alloy, which gives a much better idea of what the finished product will look like. The next step will be to fine tune the mould prior to it being put into production.
NOTE: The model below is only sitting on the front landing gear, which is not properly fitted so there is no point in making observations about the height of the nosegear as the sample doesn't accurately reflect the end product.
NOTE: The model below is only sitting on the front landing gear, which is not properly fitted so there is no point in making observations about the height of the nosegear as the sample doesn't accurately reflect the end product.
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Judging by the images above I'd say the shape of the nose and cockpit is highly promising and the gearleg looks good too.
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Steve Lynes from Sandshurst, United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
玄史生, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
AV400 tells me that the main engines have more sawteeth at their rear margin and that the main undercarriage bogies will be able to pivot like on their A350 and 777s. As you can see the engines are plastic and have see through fanblades as you'd expect nowadays. In the images below the wing angle looks quite high but I think this is probably largely due to the downwards angle of the photos.
Find below a short clip of the making of the new AV400 mould showing the sort of precision that goes into making 1:400 scale moulds nowadays:
As you can see below the tail shape looks good and the tall rudder is captured well although the detail at the very top of the tail is not 100% correct as the rudder line on the real thing cuts back in slightly for attachment reasons, as you can see in the above image.
New York-air, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
SUMMARY
This looks like a very promising new 787 mould. Even at this early stage it is clear that it is superior to the cradle mounted old Gemini offering and the Phoenix mould, which has no wing/fuselage fairing and a high wing angle. It looks like it may well be an offering on par with the already excellent NG Models and JC Wings moulds. Hopefully I will have a copy in hand in the next few months and I can then do a detailed review comparing the moulds.
